BUFFALO, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown announced new City of Buffalo workplace gender transition guidelines for city employees Friday afternoon.

Members of Buffalo’s LGBTQ community were invited to City Hall to hear the announcement except for the first transgender city employee, Camille Hopkins.

"I poked at them 17 years ago to get these things done,” said the now retired, Hopkins. “These guidelines are nothing new."

The plan includes health insurance coverage for transitioning city employees at any stage, support groups and guidelines for changing names.

Prior to Friday’s announcement – gender neutral bathrooms or family restrooms were installed throughout city hall.

"We are implementing these guidelines because we want the City of Buffalo to be a fair and equitable place for all people,” said Mayor Byron Brown.

“This important next step will provide department heads and employees with important policy procedures that will underscore the inclusive environment that we have in city government."

Hopkins says she believes she wasn’t invited to the event because she has been vocal about her negative experiences as a transgender city employee.

She told Spectrum News she is concerned about whether the new guidelines will stick.

"If the guidelines don’t have the strength of law for example if the city wants to ignore these guidelines they can very well do that,” added Hopkins.